A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Edson since 1880
Babies named Edson per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2019, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Edson's real moment was 1887.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 47 |
| 1890s | 40 |
| 1900s | 42 |
| 1910s | 255 |
| 1920s | 296 |
| 1930s | 217 |
| 1940s | 206 |
| 1950s | 150 |
| 1960s | 119 |
| 1970s | 153 |
| 1980s | 290 |
| 1990s | 629 |
| 2000s | 911 |
| 2010s | 749 |
| 2020s | 588 |
Meaning & origin
Edson is a patronymic surname-turned-first name that saw early American use. First recorded in 1880, it peaked in 1887 (rank 1728) and was most common in Georgia, California, and Texas. After a period of decline, it has been rising again since 1985. In 2025, it was given to about 1 in 18,171 boys, reflecting its niche but enduring appeal as a classic-sounding family name. Edson's trajectory mirrors a broader revival of late-19th-century names, and it remains a distinctive choice for parents seeking a traditional, English-rooted name.
Edson is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Ed,' where Ed is a diminutive of names such as Edward or Edwin. The surname originated as a given name in the 19th century, particularly in the United States, where it gained modest popularity from the 1880s onward.
Where Edson is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Edson” around the world
Where Edson lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Ed, Eddie, Eddy
Sibling names for Edson
Names that share Edson's style, for a brother or sister.
